Johnson County Community College Press Release

Longtime cross country and track coach resigns

04/18/17

Story by Tyler Cundith

Longtime cross country and track coach resigns

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Mike Bloemker, Johnson County Community College’s highly successful cross country coach for 19 years, and track coach for nine, resigned his position effective at the end of the 2016-17 season.

“I would like to thank coach Bloemker for his time here at Johnson County Community College,” said athletic director Carl Heinrich. “He left his stamp on JCCC and our cross country and track programs, and we appreciate his devotion to the program.”

Bloemker was hired in 1998 to take over the cross country program, and in 2009 he added the duties of head track and field coach. In 19 seasons as head cross country coach, Blomker led the Cavaliers to five national championships, 13 national runner-up finishes, 29 East Jayhawk Conference titles and 13 region titles. Under his watchful eye, JCCC cross country and half marathon runners produced 62 All-America citations, two national champions, three region champions and 10 conference champions.

Now in his ninth season as head track coach, Bloemker has coached 29 NJCAA All-America performances, including five national champions, and 187 total NJCAA Coaches All-Americans, as well as 165 conference event champions, 50 region event champions, 34 school record performances, 12 conference meet records and 30 stadium record performances.

“It has been an honor and privilege to lead the cross country program the last 19 years, and the track program for nine seasons,” Bloemker said. “I am really proud of all that we accomplished in my time at JCCC. I had the opportunity to coach some outstanding teams led by amazing young women and men.”